This site by a secluded Essex estuary is on the perimeter of a former gravel pit previously landscaped by the clients. The new sits parasitically atop an existing garage (avoiding foundations). It is approached from the west, has farmland to the south and woodland to the east.
A garden path has been run eastwards to the bluebell woods, passing through a long semi buried conservatory on the south side. A large flexibly sub-divisible rectilinear area is accessed off this, with a tower of sanitary facilities penetrating into the woodland to the east.
A flowing landscaped roof, that’s planted with coastal grasses, accommodates volumes (incl. painting studio) and openings in response to the site, climate, brief and views around the site.
Reflection of this flow creates on the one hand, a singular space within, whilst conjuring a grassy dune habitat atop the building that knits the building into its context.
This is an ultra low carbon building, constructed entirely of solid timber, with fine grain timber cladding, super insulated with wood fibre and with heat mirror triple glazing. Specifications incl. air tightness are to the Passivhaus standards, with all high hot water and heating exclusively supplied by solar energy and a wood burning stove/back boiler with heat recovery ventilation etc. Behind the four distinctive elevations the exposed structure provides the internal finish.